Connection for side tube of reaction flask



Oct. 30, 1962 M. T. CADMAN 3,061,417

CONNECTION FOR SIDE TUBE OF REACTION FLASK Filed Aug. 31, 1960 I'm/L9 /7 I I ...1 I5

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. lNl/ENTOR 22 MORGAN 7i CADMA/V -Ta 60: Source Aflorney United States Patent:

3,061,417 CONNECTION FOR SIDE TUBE OF REACTION FLASK Morgan T. Cadman, Pittsburg, Calif., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Aug. 31, 1960, Ser. No. 53,136 1 Claim. (Cl. 23--292) This invention relates to an improved means for connecting a side tube of a reaction flask or other vessel to a source of material or vacuum.

An example of equipment in which my connecting means can be used to particular advantage is a laboratory carbon dioxide absorption tower. Such towers commonly are glass and have a short integral tube extending from one side through which gas enters to be analyzed for its carbon dioxide content. conventionally this tube is inserted in a plastic or rubber tubing which leads to a gas source. I have observed this arrangement has disadvantages. It is unduly time consuming to connect or disconnect the glass tubing from the rubber tubing, and there is also a safety hazard, since the glass may break. In describing my connecting means as used with a carbon dioxide absorption tower, I do not intend to limit the invention to this particular application.

An object ,of the present invention is to provide an improved connecting means which overcomes disadvantages of the conventional arrangement, that is, which can be connected or disconnected quickly and easily and which eliminates the safety hazard.

A further object is to provide an improved connecting means which employs a plug-in principle for connecting a side tube to a source of material.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the inven tion, I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

The single FIGURE is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing a carbon dioxide absorption tower which has a connecting means embodying my invention.

The drawing shows a conventional glass carbon dioxide absorption tower which has an integral side tube 12 projecting from its wall for admitting gas. The tower is packed with any suitable absorption medium for carbon dioxide, as known in the art. The upper end of the tower is plugged with a removable stopper 13, which contains an outlet tube '14. The tower rests on a sheet metal base 15 supported on a wood shelf 16. The base 15 has an upturned flange 17 along its inner edge.

In accordance with the present invention, I fix a rigid upright tube '18, preferably copper, to the flange 17 with a band 19 which extends around the tube. The upper end of tube 18 is sealed, as indicated at 20. The lower end of the tube extends through suitable openings in base 15 and shelf 16, I fit an adapter 21 over the lower end ?atented Oct. 30, 1962 of the tube beneath the shelf and insert this adapter in a tubing 22 of rubber leading to a gas source, not shown. I fit a sleeve 23 of rubber around tube 18 above the band 19 and hold it firmly with clamps 24. I intend the term rubber of course to include obvious equivalents, such as suitable synthetic materials and plastics. Tube 18 contains an opening 25, and sleeve 23 contains a smaller opening 26 which registers with opening 25. I push the side tube 12 of the tower through openings 25 and 26. Thus gas to be analyzed is conducted from the source, through tubing 22, adapter 21, tube 18, side tube 12 into the tower. Gas not absorbed in the tower discharges through the outlet tube 14.

I proportion the parts so that the side tube 12 is loosely receive-d in opening 25 in tube 18, but tightly received in opening 26 in sleeve 23. Thus the sleeve forms a seal around the side tube and prevents gas from leaking out or air from leaking in. The sleeve is easily replaced when worn so that it always forms a gas-tight seal. I can quickly and easily plug the side tube into the registering openings 25 and 26 or remove it therefrom. Thus I eliminate any need to insert the side tube into a rubber tubing each time I use the equipment. The tubing 22 can remain permanently connected to the adapter 21.

While I have shown and described only a single preferred embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

The combination with a vessel which has a side tube projecting from its wall, of a means connecting said tube to a source of material comprising an upright rigid tube extending both above and below said side tube in a perpendicular relation thereto and being sealed at its upper end, a support to which said rigid tube is fixed with its lower end extending beneath said support for connection to the source, and a rubber sleeve fitted around said rigid tube above said support, said rigid tube and said sleeve having registering openings receiving said side tube, the opening in said rigid tube being larger than the opening in said sleeve and loosely receiving said side tube, the opening in said sleeve tightly receiving said side tube and forming a gas-tight seal therearound.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,945,769 Brumley Feb. 6, 1934 2,132,538 McGowan Oct. 11, 1938 2,215,100 Gustin Sept. 17, 1940 2,537,232 Nottingham Jan. 9, 1951 2,595,493 Slaby May 6, 1952 2,933,376 McBrien Apr. 19, 1960 2,964,390 Cummings Dec. 13, 1960 

